– An emotional Haile Gebrselassie talking about the passing of Miruts Yifter on Friday. Yifter was the double Olympic champion at 5,000 and 10,000 in 1980. Yifter also won an Olympic bronze in 1972 and was JAILED upon his return home.

Outside Magazine:Meet The Agent Who Turns Beer Milers Into Pro Runners Canadian agent Kris Mychasiw saw an opportunity in the beer mile and through clever marketing ploys (like getting one beer miler on the Ellen DeGeneres Show) was able to negotiate a contract with Brooks and adidas.

Courtney Okolo Wins Women’s Bowerman Award The former Texas star won four NCAA titles last year and set the NCAA 400m record, becoming the first collegiate woman in history to go sub-50 as she ran 49.71. The low point of her season unfortunately came at the Olympic Trials, where she ran very sub-par and missed making Rio.

Russian Luge President Calls Report “Nothing But Rubbish” “The McLaren Report published today is not confirmed by anything again. Where are the facts? You can say this is nothing but rubbish.” We suggest she learn how to use a computer so she can search the 1,166 pieces of evidence herself. Correction: We incorrectly initially attributed to the quote to Isinbayeva.

More Distance News

Opinion Piece By Athletics Illustrated’s Chris Kelsall:“The Death Of International Cross-Country” Kelsall argues that the rise of “plastic Europeans” (Africans essentially being paid to represent countries like Turkey) is going to lead to a “harsh death” for World XC. Includes commentary from Paula Radcliffe, Sally Kipyego and Sonia O’Sullivan.

Irish Independent:“European Athletics Runs Into Right Mess”Seb Coe wants to do something about the country swapping trend, but this writer points out that with so many athletes already converted, the damage for the next decade is done.

Deadspin:Sarah Barker Rips The Record Attempt Barker is far from impressed.”A tightly controlled message lacking in certain details – that’s Nike alright! … The sub two-hour marathon, if it happens, will not be about the runner – interchangeable in these schemes – but rather about the puppet master.”

LRC ArchivesThe Myth Of The Sub-2-Hour MarathonRojo wrote this article over 3 years ago and said, “Despite the dumb mainstream press articles … the fact of the matter is humans aren’t close to doing it (without the help of some undetectable drugs).”